Private Boat Charter · Gold Coast

Up to 110 guests across two levels. The minimum for a private charter is 50.

Yes, 50 guests. For smaller groups, our Hopo ferries take up to 50 each and allow BYO, or you can join a scheduled lunch or dinner cruise with a group of 12 or more on the Spirit of Elston.

Vessel hire is $1,000 per hour with a three-hour minimum. Food, drinks and entertainment are added on top. As a guide, a 50-guest charter with grazing boards and a solo musician starts from $80 per person, and a tropical buffet charter from $95 per person. Add a three-hour drinks package for $49.50 per person.

Minimum three hours. Longer charters are charged at the same hourly rate.

Kaiala is a purpose-built whale watching vessel, set lower to the water, with viewing windows close to the surface. Upstairs has open-air 360-degree views of the ocean and city skyline. With two levels, Kaiala is the smaller of our two whale watching vessels.

Sea World Cruises Terminal, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. Free parking on site, and you don’t need a Sea World theme park ticket to use it.

Outside whale season, day charters run past South Stradbroke Island, up to Sanctuary Cove and back. In season she’s out spotting humpbacks by day on the open ocean, and available for charter in the evening.

Yes. She runs exclusive whale watching charters for smaller groups up to 110, and is available for general charter in the evening once whale watching finishes for the day. For larger groups, our larger whale watching vessel Migaloo II holds 160 guests, or charter them both to cater to groups up to 270 pax.

Yes, a fully licensed bar plus a kiosk. Run a bar tab, take a drinks package by the hour, or let guests pay their own way at the cash bar.

No. Kaiala is fully licensed, so all food and beverages are supplied onboard. Celebration cakes are welcome. BYO is available on our Hopo ferries.

Yes. Menus are coded for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free, and we collect dietaries when you confirm final numbers. We handle nuts, seafood, shellfish, sesame, wheat, eggs and dairy onboard, so a total absence of allergens can’t be guaranteed.

Standard audio is included, along with a microphone and PA. Connect your own device to the onboard sound system.

Yes. A solo musician is $750, or you’re welcome to coordinate with your choice of DJ or other supplier. Photographers and videographers are available on request.

Yes, two onboard, plus facilities at the terminal before departure.

The lower deck is partially wheelchair accessible — full details in our Accessibility Guide. We encourage events with guests using wheelchairs to book our larger vessel, Spirit of Migaloo II, which offers greater ability to move around.

The main deck is enclosed and sheltered.

Free parking on site at the Sea World Cruises Terminal, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach.

Yes. All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.

A 50% deposit confirms your booking — your date isn’t held without it. The booking is confirmed once we’ve received the signed terms and conditions, your completed booking confirmation and the deposit. The balance is due 14 days before departure. Bookings made within 14 days of the charter date require full payment up front.

Final guest numbers and catering requirements are due 14 days before departure, at the same time as the balance. That figure is what your catering and final invoice are based on.

Cancellations must be made in writing by email. Cancel more than 14 days before your charter and there’s no penalty, aside from 50% of the deposit, which is non-refundable. Inside 14 days, payment is non-refundable. If something unforeseen comes up, talk to us and we’ll do what we can to help.

On rare occasions we may need to cancel a charter for severe weather, mechanical failure, government directives or other circumstances outside our control. If that happens, you can reschedule to another suitable day or vessel, or take a full refund.

Yes, site inspections can be arranged. Call our team on (07) 5539 9299.